Benfica manager Bruno Lage has conceded that Barcelona were the superior side in their Champions League clash, acknowledging that the Catalan giants fully deserved their place in the next round after a commanding 3-1 victory.

“Barcelona has proven to be a great team and is continuing to advance in the competition on its own merits,” Lage admitted, highlighting the dominance of Hansi Flick’s men.

However, the Benfica boss pointed to a crucial moment in the game that tilted the contest further in Barça’s favour. “The second goal we conceded penalised us,” he noted, emphasising how it disrupted his team’s plans.

Lage also recognised the struggles his side faced in dealing with Barcelona’s attacking patterns. “We were unable to stop their play between the lines or their depth. And we didn’t do what we usually do in the defensive area,” he explained, underlining the tactical challenges posed by the Blaugrana.

In an effort to turn the tide, he made changes from the bench. “I made substitutions hoping to look for freshness to get more attacking,” he said. But ultimately, it was not enough, as he conceded: “Barcelona were far too strong for us to overcome.”

With another dominant display, Barcelona march on in the competition, proving once again why they remain one of Europe’s elite.